In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light 'day,' and the darkness he called 'night.' And there was evening, and there was morning — the first day. (Genesis 1:1-4, New International Version)

When we turn on our computer, press a light switch, start our car, or adjust a thermostat, most of us take for granted that the energy will be there. We seldom think about where it comes from. Upon reflection, however, we know that the energy that powers our technology comes from somewhere — from the burning of coal, oil and gas drawn from the earth; from water or wind; sometimes, even, directly from the sun. Certainly, the abundant energy resources that support our way of life are a great blessing from the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

But we also know that the way we use these gifts can come with a great cost to our neighbors and to the rest of creation. When we waste energy by using it inefficiently, or produce it in ways that cause pollution or despoil the earth, we may turn a blessing into a curse. Burning fossil fuels creates air pollution and contributes to climate change, both of which are threats to human health. Because it is the most poor and vulnerable among us who suffer the most from these effects, energy use is an issue of environmental justice. Careless methods of extracting them can scar the land and foul the waters, destroying or contaminating the habitat of other creatures.

Because of their concern that the ways we produce and use energy are wounding God’s creation, people of faith are actively seeking alternatives. We can change our ways of producing and transporting food, designing our cities and transportation systems in the direction of a sustainable economy so that all our human neighbors and fellow creatures can more richly enjoy God’s blessings.